f you already haven’t read about it or seen the videos flooding social media, 4,000 are confirmed injured and 154 confirmed dead following the massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. The explosion took place on Tuesday, August 4 in Beirut’s port warehouse district. At this time, it remains foggy what exactly caused the explosion; however, Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Hassan Diab says investigations will focus on the 2,750 tons of explosive ammonium nitrate stored at the port warehouse for years, which ignited and sent shock waves across the Lebanese capital.
The Explosion in Beirut Footage
Footage on news and social outlets show the explosion first hand as it hit Beirut from several different standpoints. A short clip filmed from a nearby boat shows a white cloud of smoke rising over the city. Seconds later, a red plume of smoke shoots into the sky, followed by a massive explosion. Another clip of the massive explosion in Beirut is filmed from the top of a roof.
The Explosion in Beirut Aftermath
Following the massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, the capital was declared a “disaster city” and authorities imposed a two-week state of emergency. The explosion rippled throughout Beirut, flattening buildings, destroying windows and left more than 300,000 people displaced from their homes. Hundreds are still reported as missing, raising fears the death toll will rise.
The Explosion in Beirut Recovery
When it rains, it really does pour. As a country that has few resources to respond to a disaster such as this, the explosion has left Lebanon to deal with an economic crisis and a cash shortage, all while dealing with the coronavirus pandemic at the same time. Helping friends out is truly necessary in such dire times. Canada is providing up to $5 million in humanitarian assistance to help the country and its people recover from the massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.
How you can help
Here are a few ways you can help right now, no matter where you’re located:
- The Lebanese Red Cross: Among other things, this group helps provide ambulance services in the country and the group could use donations.
- Impact Lebanon: This group is raising disaster relief through the crowdfunding site JustGiving. It has raised almost £150,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.
- Other local NGOs: Activists have been building a crowd-sourced list of additional local groups and resources on Carrd.co.
- Humanity & Inclusion: This group focuses on rehabilitation services and post-surgical physical therapy and just launched a campaign to help victims of the explosion.
